Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has expressed deep sorrow over the recent spate of violent killings in parts of the North Central region, particularly in Yelewata, Benue State, where dozens of lives were reportedly lost.

Speaking on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed area council administrators and a special adviser, Governor Sule condemned the attacks and extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families and state governments.

He said: “I would like to send sincere condolences of the people and government of Nasarawa State over two unfortunate incidents that occurred recently in the North Central geopolitical zone, which led to the loss of lives in Mokwa, Niger State and Yelewata, in Benue State.”

Governor Sule also offered prayers for peace and healing in the region, calling for divine intervention to halt the bloodshed.

“Let us send our sincere condolences to my brother, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace. May God Almighty bring an end to these senseless killings taking place at the borders in Benue,” he concluded.

The Yelewata incident is the latest in a series of violent clashes in the border communities between Nasarawa and Benue states, often linked to longstanding communal and herder-farmer tensions.

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‎The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised alarm over the deepening criminal ties between internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo-Yahoo boys, and politically exposed persons.
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‎Speaking during a media briefing on Monday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Olukoyede said some of these fraud$ter$ are now being used to launder stolen public funds.
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‎”Some of them launder money for politically exposed persons. Don’t just see them as yah0o-yah0o boys anymore; the traditional way of stealing money is not applicable anymore,”
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‎He revealed that politicians now use these young men to transfer stolen funds using crypto wallets, after which the money is moved abroad to acquire luxury items like cars and houses.
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‎“We arrested a 22-year-old; he had a turnover of over N5 billion within 18 months. We discovered that he laundered money for politically exposed people. A boy who has never worked in his life,”
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‎Olukoyede stated that many of the fraudsters are being sheltered in hotels by these corrupt individuals, where they are given access to stolen funds to facilitate illegal transactions.
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Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, has condemned the recent killings in Benue State, describing them as a grave crime against humanity.

Ezeilo said the killing of over 200 people in the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen was a horrific and inhumane attack that must not go unpunished.
“This massacre must not go unpunished. We need to understand the root causes and ensure accountability,” she said.

Ezeilo described the tragic incident in Benue as a reflection of the escalating insecurity across the country.
According to her, the massacre underscores the failure of government to protect lives and property, adding that the right to life is sacrosanct and constitutionally guaranteed.
“It is intolerable that communities remain exposed and vulnerable while perpetrators of such atrocious crimes operate with apparent impunity,” Ezeilo stated.

Calling for immediate action, she urged the Federal and State Governments, as well as security agencies, to live up to their constitutional responsibilities by prioritising the safety of citizens.

She also demanded a thorough investigation into the attack and swift justice for the victims.
“Every Nigerian life matters. The government must act decisively and transparently to restore peace and rebuild trust in the system,” she said.